Year Two, Day 278: ARRRR!

Up with the chickens this morning I am. But without chickens. I made a big, hearty breakfast for the adult children. Migas and O'Brien potatoes!

Today's fruit of the spirit that I am focusing on is "gentleness".
(Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.")

I referred to Jesuswalk.com again to research the etymology of the word "gentleness".
(http://www.jesuswalk.com/galatians/8_fruit.htm)

"Gentleness" (NIV, NRSV), "meekness" (KJV) is prautēs, "the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one's self-importance; gentleness, humility, courtesy, considerateness, meekness" in the older favorable sense. We see this word used to describe Jesus' character:

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle (praus) and humble (tapeinos) in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)

In Philippians, Paul uses the attitude (in a synonym, if not the word itself) so we can learn its meaning from its antonyms:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition (eritheia, see 5:20 above) or vain conceit (kenodoxia), but in humility (tapeinophrosynē) consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)

The word prautēs has a lot to do with how we view ourselves and carry ourselves. As Paul says in the "Love Chapter,"

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking...." (1 Corinthians 13:4-5a)

I made it to the gym last night!!

On another note, I finally made it in to the gym last night. 6:00 p.m. Did some elliptical cardio, chest press, shoulder press, and lat pull downs. And a bit of stretching and plank at the end. Total workout: 30 minutes. Most proud of self!

P.S. In the picture below, I was going for the "determined" look. But I came off looking just plain mean!

ARRRRR!

I hope to make it twice a week for now. I will have more time over spring break. My goal is to get to the gym before the church office. AAAACK! That would mean leaving the house at 6:00 a.m.

I have given birth to two children, raised them alone, and overcome insurmountable odds. I got this!

Happy Monday!

Peace and gentleness and raw determination!

Zita

http://www.jesuswalk.com/galatians/8_fruit.htm

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